The more we delve into the future of ink-jet printing, the greater the number of companies and organisations we find discussing the implications of, and potential for, industrial production. At the IMI Europe conference in Barcelona last November the majority of areas of key interest focused on this particular topic. But the question could be asked whether this is simply because it's a new direction that many of us haven't heard too much about in finite detail, or if it hinges more resolutely on an expected shift into useful applications where digital technology can be used to supersede its earlier analogue processes.

These days there are fewer surprises to come out of the ink-jet arena and, where once we were wowed with every mention of what print-heads can get up to, currently we have come to expect alternatives to the graphic arts and moves away from standard jobs where the main benefits were convenience in set-up and printing of short runs and variable information. Yet the definition of industrial ink-jet remains a little hazy and, when the question is asked, there's a variety of descriptions ranging from coding and marking and extending into more diverse segments, such as ceramics, RFID and three-dimensional applications.

Of the key questions I'm asking myself about the growth in industrial ink-jet, the most significant is this: how are the manufacturers who have cut their digital teeth on graphic arts products going to move their expertise on related technologies into areas which, to them, are probably unfamiliar? And how will print-driven companies, eager to discover new segments in which to apply their knowledge, move into specialist markets?

It is interesting to note that some of the original players are, indeed, shifting their talents into new fields. This makes perfect sense; for when a new development emerges and it's been applied successfully to products in a certain category, it is logical to make the transition to new industries where an existing set of tools and algorithms can be modified for a different remit. There is little point in reinventing the wheel, particularly at this juncture where ink-jet has become a proven formula in digital printing. The key players are those involved in developing print-heads and curing technologies, as well as specialists working to adapt fluids and their jetting methodology for a variety of end uses, including additive modelling and rapid prototyping.

Rather than merely try to define industrial ink-jet in a specific role, it is far more worthwhile to consider the range of applications for which it can be adapted. In production terms, this involves the process of jetting fluid from a print-head either onto a substrate surface or in a three-dimensional build-up of layers. Considering it this way removes it from always being considered within the printing arena and moves it with a glorious non-restrictive freedom into any industry where the highly controlled application of droplets plays a part. Because ink-jet is a non-contact process, with the print-heads never touching the material surface, it is not restricted to flat substrates and, as such, has become a versatile and cost-effective way in which to be integrated with moving production lines for the production of text, codes, numeric data and, even, logos. Such is its flexibility, that medical and bioscience applications are now being carried out using ink-jet, and we are all familiar with its use in the creation of electronic components, membrane panels and IMD.

The trend for ink-jet related events certainly confirms a move to industrial technologies, with IMI factoring in functional printing at its conferences, and ESMA's AFIP 2013 concentrating on best practice and insights into this arena. Likewise, InPrint is planned for 2014 as an exhibition concentrating purely on related sectors.

Marcus Timson, director of InPrint, believes the potential of industrial production demands its own exhibition. "In Europe, manufacturing is responding to a change in demand for mass customisation of products. Retailers want super-fast responses from their suppliers, and this means production cycles have to be faster, shorter, more flexible and more responsive," he states. "This provides digital in particular with a tremendous opportunity to play an increasing role in functional and decorative print production."

There is consensus that industrial ink-jet needs to generate greater awareness so that potential beneficiaries can understand the options and how it can be integrated into existing production processes, whatever they are. It will be interesting, in two years or so, to see how the ratio of graphic arts printing to functional applications has balanced out.